Abstract:
The effect of pH, temperature and sperm concentration on the fertilisation of Sterechinus neumayeri was investigated. Adult Sterechinus neumayeri were collected from Ellis Fjord Narrows between December and January 2011-12 and held in the Ecotox Field Aquarium Module until used. Between 3-4 male and female individuals were spawned using 0.5M KCl and gametes were collected separately before being fertilised in treatment.

The data set shows the percentage of fertilised and non-fertilised eggs of Sterechinus neumayeri scored at 20h post-fertilisation. Eggs were fertilised in various combinations of pH, temperature and sperm concentration treatments (pH: 8.0 (Control), 7.8 and 7.6; Temperature: 1 degrees C (Control), 3 degrees C and 5 degrees C; Sperm concentration (sperm:egg ratio): 1000:1 (Control), 750:1, 250: 1, 50:1 and 5:1). At 20h post fertilisation, 5 ml aliquot was removed from fertilisation vials and eggs were counted and determined if they were fertilised or not. Seawater parameters of treatments were measured at the start and end of the experiment.

Detailed information of the spreadsheets are as follows:Seawater Parameters column headings:Temperature - measured in degrees C , shows the temperature treatments usedpH - shows the pH levels usedSubheading pH - pH level measured for the day using NIST certified buffersSubheading MV - pH level measured for the day in millivoltsSubheading Total pH - total pH level in seawater obtained from MV measurementsSubheading Temp - temperature of seawater measured for the day

Data set shows the growth rate of juveniles of Abatus ingens and Abatus shackletoni after a 4-week exposure to various combinations of pH and temperature. Juveniles of each species was removed from maternal pouches and photographed on the oral side before being exposed to combinations of pH (8.0 (Control), 7.8 and 7.6) and temperature (-1 degrees C (Control) and 1 degrees C) levels. They were incubated in treatments for 4 weeks before being removed and rephotographed. The lengths of 10 spines per juvenile were measured in the pre- and post-experiment photographs using ImageJ and the difference calculated to get a growth rate per juvenile. Seawater parameters of treatments were measured at the beginning of the experiment and subsequently once a day until the end of the experiment.